After a storm, the first call most homeowners make is to their insurer — but knowing what’s actually covered, and what evidence you need, makes the process considerably less stressful. Here’s what UK home insurance policies typically cover on storm-damaged roofs, and where the gaps usually are.
What’s usually covered
Most standard buildings insurance policies cover storm damage as standard, including tiles or slates dislodged or broken by high winds, damage caused by fallen branches or debris, and water damage to ceilings and interiors that results directly from the storm event. Insurers generally define a “storm” using specific wind-speed or weather-severity thresholds, so it’s worth checking your policy wording rather than assuming any bad weather qualifies.
What’s often excluded or disputed
Insurers frequently push back on claims where they can argue the roof was already in poor condition before the storm — this is the single biggest source of disputed claims. If tiles were already loose, or the roof was overdue for maintenance, an insurer may argue the storm simply finished off an existing problem rather than caused it. Gradual wear, lack of maintenance, and pre-existing damage are typically excluded outright, regardless of what triggered the final failure.
What to do immediately after storm damage
- Don’t go up on the roof yourself. Photograph what you can see safely from the ground.
- Arrange a temporary fix if there’s an active leak. Most insurers expect you to prevent further damage — a tarp or emergency patch is standard and usually claimable.
- Get a written report from a roofer describing the damage and, ideally, giving an opinion on whether it’s storm-related or pre-existing wear. This is often the deciding document in a disputed claim.
- Keep all invoices, including for emergency temporary repairs — these are usually claimable separately from the main repair cost.
Getting a report that actually helps your claim
Insurers respond better to a clear, specific written report than a verbal description. A useful report states what’s damaged, gives a reasonable assessment of whether the damage is consistent with storm impact versus gradual wear, and is accompanied by photos. We provide this as standard when we’re called out for storm damage assessment, whether or not you go on to use us for the repair.
A word on emergency callouts
If you’ve got an active leak during bad weather, getting a temporary fix in place quickly matters more than choosing the “right” long-term solution on day one — see our emergency leak callout page. A tarp or temporary patch buys time to sort a proper repair and an insurance claim without the damage getting worse in the meantime.
If you’re not sure whether to claim
Small, low-value repairs sometimes aren’t worth claiming once you factor in excess and potential impact on future premiums — it’s worth weighing the repair cost against your policy excess before starting a claim. For anything involving structural damage, multiple tiles, or damage to timbers underneath, claiming is usually the right call.
Get in touch for a free storm damage assessment and a written report you can use for your insurance claim.